The flood control hearing scheduled for June 11 by the Cayetano bloc will no longer proceed as planned, according to the office of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Marcoleta confirmed the cancellation during a program, saying the decision was reached by their Blue Ribbon Committee after consultations among its members.
According to the senator, the committee agreed to postpone the hearing as a gesture of respect for those affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that recently struck Mindanao.
The hearing was expected to continue discussions related to flood control issues being examined by the bloc. However, committee members decided that postponement was appropriate given the impact of the earthquake on affected communities.
As of now, no new date has been announced for the continuation of the hearing.
Marcoleta said the committee has yet to release a schedule for the rescheduled proceedings.
Despite the postponement, he emphasized that the committee intends to continue pursuing matters previously identified for discussion once a new hearing date is set.
The senator also said they still plan to invite former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to appear before the committee.
Romualdez had earlier been invited to attend the flood control consultative meeting conducted by the New Majority Bloc but did not appear.
Marcoleta did not provide additional details regarding the planned invitation or a possible timetable for Romualdez’s appearance.
The postponement comes as government agencies and local officials continue responding to the effects of the powerful earthquake in Mindanao.
For now, the committee’s flood control inquiry remains temporarily suspended pending the announcement of a new schedule.
Further updates regarding the hearing and future invitations are expected once the committee completes its internal discussions and coordination efforts.
